Primark to open branch

A new branch of popular budget clothing giant Primark will open at a Black Country shopping centre this spring, it can be revealed, news that will delight bargain hunters across the region.

The chain is expected to have the 47,000 sq ft shop up and running at the Merry Hill Centre, in Brierley Hill, before June after bosses resolved earlier delays that had thrown the opening into doubt.

It had been thought the store would open in time for the Christmas rush but shoppers were left disappointed amid rumours of a hold-up with building work at the site opposite the Odeon cinema.

But Primark spokesman Jeff Lancaster said the branch would be open within the next few months.

"The wait will certainly be worth it for shoppers in and around the area," he said.

"We still haven't got a firm opening date, but we can definitely say it will be this spring."

He added that he expected other businesses at the centre to benefit from the new Primark branch.

"This will be good news not just for shoppers, but also for other stores."

Primark snapped up 40 Littlewood's stores in 2005 as part of a national £409 million takeover.

Thousands of shoppers poured into Wolverhampton's new Primark on its opening last November - with extra security brought in to cope with the rush.